SUSTAINABILITY

Baobab beach resort and spa is on Diani beach; and a beach voted in 2023 as Africa's leading beach destination. It was established in 1974, adding more rooms in 2003, 2006 (Kolekole wing) and 2008 (Maridadi wing) bringing the total rooms to 323.
With this size of a hotel, the operations are likely to have negative impacts on the environment; calling for strict measures to be put in place to manage the impacts.

 

TOURISM SUSTAINABILITY

Baobab beach resort incorporates tourism sustainability as part of its operations through environmental policy. Sustainability efforts of the facility are shown by its contribution to conservation hence sustainability of the environment, in conjunction with the local community.

The hotel conducts an annual environmental audit for the following purposes.

1. Assess compliance with the relative authority.
2. Facilitate management control of environmental practices.
3. Maintain credibility in community.
4. Raise awareness among staff enforcing the company’s commitment to environmental policy.
5. Explore improvement opportunities.
6. Establish the performance base line in Environmental management.

The resort has developed an environmental management plan guiding the operations with Information on sustaining resources placed in strategic places, communicating the messages to the stake holders.

In health and safety, social – cultural and social economic issues the hotel contributes directly to the local community by buying fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables direct from the community surrounding the resort. The hotel also partners with the locals in tree planting to rehabilitate the degraded portions of land; beach cleaning, providing water to the beach operators and supporting the Kwale mentally challenged school as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

In the process the resort has employed a total of 450 employees of which 60% are from the local community. The resort has put up the environmental policy below to conserve the resources.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

The Management and staff of the Baobab Beach Resort recognize and accept that the activities involved in running the business necessarily impinge upon the environment.

We consider it our obligation to ensure that both local people and international visitors enjoy the natural beauty and qualities of the surroundings. The resort offers immense opportunities to educate guests and locals about the environment.

We are committed to a policy of sound and responsible environmental management, leading to a sustainable use of resources and optimal management of waste.

Through the support and involvement of all stakeholders, we aim to achieve key objectives as we do the following.

• We aim to create complete awareness among our employees, guests, and visitors regarding the efficient use of energy and raw material according to principals of

1. Prevention
2. Recycling
3. Re-use and
4. Reduce

• We will regularly go through the most realistic emergency cases with an aim of securing complete safety in the workplace and avoiding any negative human environmental impact on neighbours and visitors to the facility.
• We will communicate our environmental principles to our suppliers and clients.
• We will comply with all environmental legal requirements and will constantly evaluate the impact of our activities on the local community and strive to follow the best environmental practices.
• We will use available technology and knowledge to prevent pollution and negative environmental factors. And reduce pollution and negative environmental factors to an absolute minimum.
• We will optimize our activities and operations within our management control system by means of an internal care program and Environmental auditing program.
• We will work diligently to minimize our waste stream and conserve natural resources, particularly through energy and water conservation.
• We will value the natural and cultural heritage of our properties, allowing us to give our guests an authentically local experience.
• We make environmental considerations an important aspect of decision making.
• We build partnerships in communities where we do business. These partnerships allow us to share our stewardship message, effect positive environmental change, and raise awareness for our guests and colleagues.
• We promise to consider the opinions and feedback of our guests when examining our environmental programs and procedures.
• We will identify areas for improvements and innovation at the property level and support the efforts of environmental conservation of our properties.

 

OUR OUTSTANDING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PRACTICES

1. WASTE MANAGEMENT

1. Grey Water: – Grey water is managed through septic tanks then pumped to lagoons for treatment then recycled back for irrigation.
2. Black Water Management: - Black water is managed through septic tanks then pumped to lagoons for treatment and recycled for irrigation in the gardens.
3. Solid waste Management: – Waste is separated at source and disposed of by the county council. Plastic, bottles, bags, and metallic waste are collected, stored, and later sold for recycling and re use. Organic waste is collected by local farmers composting to make manure for their gardens.
4. Waste Oil Management: – Cooking oil is collected in drums, kept in store, and later sold to dealers who use it in treating wood.
5. Pollution:

• Generators are canopy muffed to reduce noise pollution.
• The entertainment area is located far from the main buildings to reduce noise pollution.
• Path lights are shaded to avoid strong lights.
• Excess heat in kitchens is managed through heat extractors.
• R22a/c, refrigerators have been phased out.
• Machines have automatic dosages to curb pollution due to excessive use.
• Hotel uses natural products approved by local authorities.
• Staff get continuous training on how to use the chemicals.

 

2. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

1. ENERGY POLICY

Our policy is to improve lives by creating better environments in which to live and work and to make an impact by building deeper relationships. Baobab Beach Resort & Spa has set out to commit organizational resource to energy management, we will work to reduce costs, minimize carbon emissions, minimize environmental impact and where possible work towards using energy from sustainable resources.

 

Energy management

Energy management plays a key role in our business. It supports our plan to maximize profitability, strengthen our competitive position, and provide customers with the highest quality of services. Our efforts to reduce energy use and prevent pollution also support our commitment to our employees, the environment, and the communities in which we are a part.

1. Solar energy does 40% of water heating in the resort.
2. Energy is saved using energy key slots in each guest room.
3. Submeters are fixed in each department to monitor energy consumption.
4. Lights have timers to control lightings times.
5. Energy meetings are conducted every month to discuss progress and improvements.
6. Motors automated sensors on them controlling their function ability.
7. Boilers’ hours are controlled by thermometers to control temperature.
8. Supervisors are assigned duties to ensure low energy lighting is used and switching offs done.
9. Hotel has invested in energy saving bulbs throughout the compound.
10. Every room has master switch controlling all the lights in the room.
11. Staff are trained to switch off the unused appliances.
12. Staff are involved in identifying conservation issues.

 

2. WATER POLICY

The Baobab Beach Resort & Spa supports conservation measures as an essential aspect of water resources management. We are committed to reducing water consumption whenever possible through the active efforts of our staff and guests and through passive means such as the installation of water saving devices.

Water management

1. Water metering is done on major consumption points in the resort.
2. Water consumption is monitored daily, and records kept.
3. Aerator taps are fixed in the entire compound to control water flow.
4. Grass and plants are only watered in the evenings and mornings to avoid evaporation.
5. Staff are trained to turn off taps when not in use.
6. Information is put in rooms encouraging guests to re-use their towels.
7. High pressure shower heads are installed in all rooms.
8. A system is in place to follow reported repairs and leakages in the resort.
9. Washing machines are calibrated to ensure that there is no wastage of water in the laundry.

3. HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

It is our policy to comply with all health and safety legislation, acts, regulations, codes of practice and other guidance. We will endeavor to provide a safe and healthy working environment including premises, equipment and systems of work that are, as far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health.

 

Environmental health and safety

1. All rooms have fire detectors.
2. Life savers are trained for the pool.
3. Swimming pool instructions are placed well visible.
4. Fire extinguishers are placed in areas easy to reach.
5. Health and safety training is done continuously to staff.
6. Modern Hospitals and ambulances are near reach for both staff and guests.
7. There are directions to emergency meeting points.
8. Siren for fire activation is in place.
9. A lifesaving ring is available and well visible in all the swimming pools.
10. All pool attendants have lifesaving skills.
11. Fire drills and training are done for internal awareness.
12. Swimming pools Instructions are in place.
13. First aid boxes are provided in strategic places.
14. Instructions refraining guests from using the swimming pool during water treatment are in place.
15. Training in health and safety takes place continuously.
16. Regular fire equipment inspections take place every 3 months.

 

4. SOCIETY AND CULTURE

COMMUNITY RELATIONS POLICY

As a corporate citizen, we seek to achieve a balance between our business activities and the needs of the communities which we impact. We at Baobab Beach Resort value the importance of strong relationships with the communities in which we operate. Therefore, nurturing community relationships is a core element of our business’s social responsibility.

 

Our principles

• We build and keep good relationships with the community based on transparent and collaborative conversations, providing communication channels, and strengthening the leadership of community members to build permanent relationships based on trust.
• We provide opportunities in our locality, promoting the development of the local economy by boosting local employment and supporting local providers to join our value chain.
• Improve life quality along with the community, by promoting the development of innovative and sustainable projects that have a social impact, linked preferably to education and a healthy lifestyle.

 

Benefits to staff and local community

1. The hotel provides jobs to indigenous community who form 60%
2. The hotel provided transport to and from work to staff.
3. The hotel has medical cover for staff.
4. The hotel offers accommodation, meals, and uniforms to staff.
5. Purchasing of renovations materials and some food supplies are sourced from the community.
6. As part of Corporate social responsibility, the hotel supports projects in Kwale Mentally Challenged school, local hospitals, and clinics.
7. The hotel engages the community once a week with traditional dances and market displays.
8. The hotel works with SOLWOD to curb sexual exploitation of minors in the hotel.

 

5. PURCHASING AND SUPPLIES

PROCUREMENT POLICY

We pursue a sustainable procurement policy which will stimulate the market regarding a more innovative and sustainable approach to procurement. We do this by choosing consciously for every purchase we make, by examining the entire product life cycle from start to finish and by examining the possibility of certified organic and/or local products. When the choices involve purchasing products, we take the impact on the environment and humanity into account. Subsequently, we observe every product and service individually, thus establishing our choice of supplier based on what is best for our surroundings and the environment.

 

PURCHASING GUIDELINES FOR THE COMING YEAR (2024)

• Selecting environmentally friendly and socially responsible F & B products
• Reducing the use of environmentally harmful substances such as in:

• Soap in the soap dispensers (public toilets)

• Limitation by means of packaging, minimizing mono packages in meats, cheese, yogurt, cereal, biscuits, and tea biscuits.
• Give preference to local suppliers and vendors who deliver durable goods. Determine a fixed delivery day, order as much as possible from one supplier.
• Sustainable building materials to be used during construction and / or renovation.
• Minimizing waste by separating waste at source (paper, plastic, glass, cartridges, and toners)
• Implement energy saving measures by buying energy efficient lighting such as LED lights.
• When purchasing new equipment we will give preference to energy-efficient and water- saving equipment.